Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, November 25, 2011 – Residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality are now one step closer to having a new Metro Transit Bridge Terminal. The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), accompanied by Becky Kent, MLA for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage, on behalf of the Honourable John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, and His Worship Peter Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, officially broke ground today on this important project.
This new accessible facility is expected to be the busiest terminal in the Metro Transit system – the existing terminal currently averages more than 23,000 passengers per weekday. Improving this location is integral to successfully meeting the demands of transit's increasing service and passenger base.
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs, strengthen communities, and contribute to the local economy,"
said Minister Fletcher. "We are very pleased to support a project that will improve the transit services provided to thousands of Haligonians and Dartmouth residents for many years to come."
"This new bus terminal will bring many benefits to residents of Dartmouth and all of HRM,"
said Ms. Kent. "This project is an important step to accommodate growth and moves us toward a greener, sustainable future."
The Government of Canada is contributing $5.3 million toward this project through the federal Gas Tax Fund, which provides a predictable, stable and long-term source of infrastructure funding for municipalities.
"We welcome the investment which senior government is making in this terminal,"
said Mayor Kelly. "This transfer facility plays a key role in the expansion and improvement plans of Metro Transit, for the benefit of thousands of daily commuters."
The Government of Canada, through the Gas Tax Fund, provides $55.9 million in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in Nova Scotia. On October 4, 2011, the Government of Canada tabled legislation that will make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion across Canada. Between 2010 and 2014, the Halifax Regional Municipality will receive approximately $100 million from the Government of Canada's Gas Tax Fund.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure, visit infrastructure.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Brayden Akers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
613-991-0700
Deborah Bayer
Communications Advisor
Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat
902-424-0112
Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
902-490-4010
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
